While serving as the Deputy Assistant to President Ford, Dick Cheney wrote a memo to Donald Rumsfeld. In that memo Cheney suggested they use the Justice Department to exact retribution for an article published by New York Times investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. And thus the Dick Cheney political style was born.
When he went on to serve in the House of Representatives he distinguished himself by voting against things like the Martin Luther King Jr. Holliday, Head Start, and the creation of the U.S. Department of Education. But it was his voting record regarding sanctions against the government of South Africa for its policy of apartheid that was the proof of the pudding when it comes to where Mr. Cheney stands on human rights. And that is against them.
While serving as the Secretary of Defense under Bush I, he oversaw Operation Desert Storm. In an interview shortly after the end of that operation Cheney was asked why the United States didn’t go on into Iraq and finish the job of ousting Hussein. Cheney’s answer was that it would drag the United States into an un-winnable quagmire and that we would be virtually alone. Wow, what a difference a decade can make. This turn around of positions is disturbing in the least. How could he be so sure going into Iraq was a bad idea back then, but then decide it’s a good idea ten years later? This is just one of many reasons that Dick Cheney feels suspicious to us Democrats. And I know that more than a few Republicans disagreed with this change of policy, Colin Powel and James Baker to name two. But the “we have to stand as one” doctrine of the Republican Party prevented any one from speaking up. 
This gentlemen, was a betrayal of the American people and any top level officials that kept quiet out of loyalty to the Party rather than speak up about the failures of this administration should be ashamed of your selves.
It was in 1997 that Cheney began to plan for his vision of “American global leadership.” Along with Donald Rumsfeld, and others Cheney founded the "Project for the New American Century," a neo-conservative U.S. think tank. One of their first plans was to oust Saddam Hussein, which is how far back this plan went folks. Not in response to 911 as we’ve been told. Cheney may call his plan American global leadership, but the rest of the world calls it American global domination. The behavior of this president under the obviously heavy influence of Dick Cheney has our international neighbors very nervous. They want to believe our intentions are good, but our actions under Bush/Cheney has them confused and bewildered.
But the biggest threat Dick Cheney poses is to the liberty and freedom of the citizens of this nation. After ramming the Patriot Act through congress, the Bush/Cheney administration began throwing our constitutional rights out the door. Suspending Habeus Corpus for person designated “combatants” was a criminal act in and of itself. If we can’t believe the rights we reserve for ourselves should not be extended to all human beings, we are not worthy of those rights ourselves. And the blanket searches of library records, movie choices and even your food shopping habits is just plain creepy. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think its any of Cheney’s business what books I’m reading or what movies I’m watching.
It’s this kind of disregard for the freedoms and liberties we Americans hold so dear that makes Dick Cheney the biggest threat to our way of life. The most alarming part of the equation is that Dick Cheney truly believes in his cause. He has the tenacity and cunning of a fanatic. And that makes him even more dangerous.
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Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published twice weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at http://gather.com/leftoftheright You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here:http://kiwina58.gather.com and then select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page.
You can find Devin and other Political Correspondents, plus celebrity content and plenty of other politics experts at Politics.gather.com.
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Comments: 128
Apparently you are new to Gather Essentials: Politics. My mandate here at Gather is to write opinionated articles on political subjects, thus the title of my column "Left Of The Right." The title "Politics Correspondent" is Gather's idea not mine. I looked up the word correspondent, and it said it meant "one who corresponds through writing letters." So you can take it any way you want. If you have a problem with my title, I suggest you take it up with the managers of Gather.com.
It appears that Cheney is quite intelligent and capable of understanding the complexities of the region. Certainly he was correct at the time, and just as certainly he managed to change his mind after 9/11. My own theory about why we invaded Iraq is a simple one, and not reliant on unproven conspiracy theories. Number 1: We didn't like Saddam Hussein; Number 2: After 9/11 we got a free pass from the world to invade Afghanistan; Number 3: Hey, we're already there, why don't we just bop next door, take out Saddam, and set up a nice little Democracy there so we can a) get one up on dear old Dad, and b) become the US's most revered President.
I predict that when the "Right" shows up, and you know they will, it'll be all about me and what a commy, un-American, stinking liberal I am. I'll be interested in what, if any defense they come up with for Cheney.
Too bad those forays into others' personal business are unconstitutional. But give 'em time; they'll get that fixed. Then, look out! We'll have "small government", all right -- small enough to fit in your bedroom!
He painted it on himself.
We haven't really seen the worst yet, I am afraid, just wait until the bottome drops out of our economy. How are we supposed to fund an ongoing civil war in Iraq when all the moneys gone?
Good aritcle, Devin. "10"
Here's an article from the Atlanta Progressive news that will enlighten you about this guy some think is so different. Well, he's different alright.
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/views/0024-views.html
When you dig around like I do, you find out all kinds of things about these people.
and after a couple of quotes about blacks makes this blanket claim
"It isn't just Blacks that Paul has a problem with; it's also Asians, homosexuals, Jews, women, fornication, gambling, and the stock market."
No proof just statement.
He votes against everything that he believes is unconsitutional in congress. I like that and think that is what scares the parties.
Cheney (of whom Rove is, undoubtedly, a clone) is utterly repugnant in his callous disregard of both human rights and civil rights. I thank God that he will never be President--even though he does a superb job of pulling Dubya's strings. The damage that Bush/Cheney and their cabal has done to this country willl require decades to repair.
Finally someone has begun to put it in perspective. Bush would just be a bumbling fool were it not for Cheney's one-pointed narcissistic and highly intelligent mania.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEgDIylwPlM
Cheney was chosen to head a committee to choose a running mate for George W. Bush back during the 2000 election cycle. Deciding none of the other possible running mates were as good as he was he simply chose himself to join George on the Republican ticket. What a jerk
The discussion on Cheney is enlightening, to say the least and on the other gang members even more so. I'm horrified by what I'm learning. The author is very objective and is presenting as many sides to the issue as he can find. He has succeeded in changing my mind about a couple of fine points with regard to the runup to the war. My estimation of Wolfowitz, for instance has adjusted somewhat. I still don't agree with him, but I understand what he was doing and why a bit better. My estimation of Tommy Franks had plummeted, and I've called some of my assumptions and beliefs about Colin Powell into question. The scary part is that this is just the discussion of the pre-war planning and machinations. It has nothing whatever to do with the war itself and the aftermath.....yet.
You hang in there Devin. I don't generally vote for articles but I gave you a 10 to help counterbalance whatsername's drive by one because she doesn't agree with your facts. I don't see her giving us the "real" lowdown now do I?
It's because the facts are indisputable, and they just don't like to face them. The Republicans are having to face the same thing the Democrats faced in 1967. That their president (LBJ), had been dead wrong about Viet Nam and had betrayed the country. That's a hard thing to face.
I was totally floored watching the video clip of Cheney explaining why they didn't go on into Iraq during Desert Storm.
Truth was, I didn't know a thing about Dick Cheney before he started running as W's mate. One of the most striking things was that he made several trips to Columbus, OH (my home city) in their run-up to the 2000 election. I'd never seen a candidate visit Columbus (Ohio's capitol) so many times. It fit the scenario that blossomed later over voting irregularities here in my state. John Boehner was just a local here back then.
As usual, your analysis is irrelevent. I did not mention Cheney's motives, I related facts that are known and then speculated on their effects on our country. In my analysis I conclude Cheneys actions are bad for the country, I made no mention of his motives. But as it is with you everytime you attempt to comment on my articles you get it wrong. You say my article is baseless and factless. The incidents I related regarding Cheney's behavior are indisputable fact. You are the one that never brings facts to the table Rich, except for the made up off the top of your head spew you want desperately to believe is the truth. But it isn't and it will never be no matter how much you wish it so. You're nothing but a brain washed stooge, who goes around humiliating himslef by regurgitating the vile, redundant lies and made up propaganda of a traitorous and failed president.
The rights we reserve for ourselves are spelled out in OUY CONSTITUTION and BILL OR RIGHTS. This does NOT include peope of any foreign nation. If they want those right let them under their own govrnment. Ours is NOT a world government.
********************
About Devin - what do you expect from a left wing Democrap? Devin has been making those claims all over Gather. Some years ago someone wrote an article in Ron Pauls newsletter under Ron Paul's name that was racist. It was quickly disproven and Ron Paul has been re-elected several times. His district happens to have a very large African American constituancy.
Want the FACTS on Dr. Ron Paul? You can log on to this link and scroll up and down his record for the past 10 years or so. THIS MAN IS JUST WHAT HE SAYS HE IS.
http://www.house.gov/paul/legis.shtml
Devin is full of "it" and not to be believed.
What will you do with your life then?
Go up and read what I wrote about Rich, the same goes for you.
I'll still be here aggravating you..
Try wearing an aluminum foil hat. It will keep Dick Cheney from reading your mind.
I am flattered that you care, but mostly I am disgusted that Gather pays people to preach hate.
Sorry, but the Republicans have used them all up to protect their hairdos when sticking their heads in the sand.
Some on the far right say it's unpatriotic to question anything the administration says or does. Personally I would call it unpatriotic (and a few other unflattering terms) to simply nod your head like a bobble doll and agree with any and everything you're told without first checking to ensure it's true.
Are you also one of the people who denies the Holocaust. I guess you think if you say it isn't true, we'll buy into it, but facts are still facts.
Please do not hide hate behind "disagreement". Rational people can hold different opinions; rational people can even disagree when they have the same facts.
However, Devin is a not a rational person. There is nothing rational or even informative about what he writes. His sole purpose is to propagandize, and excite fear and paranoia in others -- and Gather pays him to do it.
Damn you Devin , QUIT writing the TRUTH .
You are offending the bush cult.
cheney STILL wants to attack Iran.
The only hate going on around here is that which you obviously harbor for me. I've been writing here at Gather for nearly 7 months now and YOU are the one and only person who has ever accused me of hate speech. I've written 64 articles and have had literally thousands of people comment on them and the number of people who would agree with you that I'm "unreasonable" could be counted on a single persons hands. Go take a long walk on a short pier.
Cheney Fanatics would have a better chance of santifying Hitler at the Knesset. Your boy is dirty, end of story, you're just making a lot of noise, spinning your wheels going nowhere fast just like his Iraqi quagmire.
Didn't get to read all posts, but did anyone see MSNBC Keith Olberman last night. Seems that Cheney was also against going to war in Iraq, in 1999. In an interview on MSNBC, VP. candidate Cheney reaffirmed that he was against going to war in Iraq for the same reasons that he was against it in the 94 interview. Now the spinmeisters are saying that the Cheney of 9/10/01 is a different Cheney than on 9/12/01. But that doesn't change the facts, that it is the same Iraq from 1994 to 1999 to 2003 to today. The facts still remain the same. We are in that quagmire that Cheney talked about in 94.
"it is the wackos like you that are going to help re-elect a republican in 08."
No, you got that wrong. It's Diebold that will help elect a republibot in 08.
As far as the South African Aparthied issue. Cheney's voting reord on this issue is clear. He was far more interested in protecting our trade relations with that countries government than he was standing up for the human rights of non-whites there. I can't see how anyone could come away with any other conclusion than Dick Cheney simply did not care about these folks human rights. You see, sometimes a persons motivations are obvious.
and collect brownie points?
"Greatest Threat To America", huh? To really make that
case wouldn't you have to compare/contrast Cheney to
things like global warming, terrorism, globalization,
unrestrained corporatism, illegal immigration, ... etc?
Can I suggest that you retitle this article "Why I really, really,
really, really, really, really, hate and fear Dick Cheney".
His resignation was only a curveball thrown at us, and it doesn't mean a thing. We are still in deep chit. I wonder if he can be brought up on charges, or forced to testify as a private citizen? I doubt that, but since he already was presidentially excused.
Thank god for public radio!
There are terrorist out there who are trying to kill innocent Americans for no other reason than they exist. They are killing American soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world. They have been around for hundreds of years and want to kill you....
And the best you can come up with is this? How sad...
Cheney will be gone by next year, so I guess you have any conspiracy theory's to throw out there and try to distract people attention from the REAL threat.
> It's why I advocate mail-in voting... ON PAPER!!!!
> Oregon has gone to 100% mail-in and it worked very well.
How would you know your ballot it is delivered or counted?
Read my solution to this here: An Idea for Election Integrity Assurance
How 'bout you work your ass off, get selected to write your own regular column, and then you can title your articles any way you like. In other words... what the hell does any of your blathering about my writing style have to do with the subject of this article? Your contention that my articles are "over the top" and done just to stir up the "crazies" is disengenuous Bruce. You don't know me nor do you have some inside track on why I write these political articles.
I have always been very involved in politics and am very passionate about my views and opinions and I have a lot to say. To that end I've worked very hard honing my writing skills in the hopes that one day I would get a stronger voice to share those beliefs. Seven months ago I was selected from over 2000 applicants to be a regularly featured politics correspondent here at gather and I got that voice. If my articles seem "over the top" its because I feel very strongly about my opinions and unlike many of my Democratic brethren, I don't believe in pulling punches. And when I talk about the greatest threat to America, I'm talking about the idea that the most American thing there is, is our liberty and freedom. And it was Cheney's efforts to subvert these very liberties and freedoms that poses the greatest threat. I stated this clearly in the article. Like I said before, try just taking my word for what I mean and you won't go wrong.
You are inaccurate my friend, they have been around for thousands of years. However, unlike this paranoid spaz we have for a president right now, I refuse to allow these amebas to control my life. They've never been able to accomplish more than inflict a bloody nose from time to time. And the best defense has always been dilegent police work, not beating entire countries over the head with broom sticks. All Bush's so-called war on terrorism has accomplished is get over 25 thousand of our troops killed or maimed and swell the ranks of the terrorists a thousand fold. Yeah, all past administrations share guilt for creating the terrorists, but the Bush/Cheney team has taken screwing up to astronomically new levels.
I get something from reading your articles Devin though probably not what you expect. I often agree with you but anything you tell me to do is probably just going to have the opposite effect. If you want to stop me from posting I guess you will have to get Gather to boot me off, otherwise you can ignore me or reply as you want.
While you have been practicing tweaking people verbally, Dick Cheney has been doing what he could in his way in his world in his perception to protect "his" country. While Cheney is not my favorite person the fact that you villify and laugh at that is superficial and ignorant, and why you continue rewrite the same indendiary article over and over just make me curious.
I am not innacurate. I agree that many past presidents are to blame for creating some of the situations we have in the middle east, but to put the blame of the creation of terrorists on past presidents is to be completely blind of 1300 years of tyranny and agression aimed toward the west from the religion of Islam. I understand that you and many on the left would prefer to think that if we just leave the terrorists alone then they will leave us alone, but that is simply untrue. I can't explain this to you in a way that you will understand because to you, the history of Islam -vs- the west is not something to learn from, but rather something to be solved with compassion. Bush knew form the start that this struggle against radical islam would outlive him, but he changed the course of history by attacking these people head on. In a sense he "created" a front for the war on terror. The reality is that this is better than us "policing" around our borders hoping that we catch the next attack. Bush understood that history will continue to repeat itself unless we do something to radically change the world around us. You may disagree with this, but the fact is that history speaks for itself and the sooner you realize that changing presidents will not fix the problem, the better off you'll be.
Liberals, look to history not as an abstract idea that is to be used as a tool to understand those past times and places, but rather facts that can be learned from and applied to our everyday lives.
> There are people out there who want to harm us because
> we are incredibly greedy pigs who consume almost a third
> of the world's natural resources, AND we are trying to export
> that very same greed to a global economy.
We? We who, speak for yourself ... do you condone
characterizing all Muslims as terrorists? If not then why
do all Americans deserve to be targets, how about
Spanish, English, Dutch, Israelis?
At least we in the west have a history of change and
evolution, the reformation, Magna Carta, Constitution,
who is more likely to come to terms with the reality of
the affects of their actions Spartan?
You are ignorant of history. If terrorists are made and not born, then why is the middle east the only place in the world that is manufacturing them? We have had unfair policies in many places including sub-sahara africa and asia for hundreds of years, why arn't their buddhists and african tribesmen trying to kill innocent americans all over the world? Suicide bombers are not made, they ascribe to an ideology which tells them that they must in order to assure their heavenly afterlife.
Try reading a history book (or maybe the Koran) before you respond, and please don't waste my time.
...We now have The Cheney, The Bush and The Rove IN THE "UNHOLY TRINITY"
and I agree with Isaac...Terrorists are not born...BUT I do believe, they are raised from the DAY THEY are BORN to ascribe to the ideology of their family....so in a sense, they are made....or one might say formed to be a certain way....thats the tragedy of that whole area in the Middle East...and all the troops in the world could be there and NOT win because it is a no win situation...the kind ya just have to accept....thats how they choose to live...and WE are not going to change that.
"If terrorists are made and not born, then why is the middle east the only place in the world that is manufacturing them?"
Really? Do you actually want to stand by this idiocy? I guess the IRA didn't make any terrorists. And the drug cartels of South America didn't produce terrorists either. What about our own KKK and other "Christian" extremist groups here in America. What about Timothy McVeigh!!!
I think YOU are the one who needs to read a history book.
As to the other side of Cheney, I'm afraid it looks much like this one! It will take the Democrats a long time to restore our liberties!
Cheney has a real problem. His world is unraveling and like any cornered animal is most dangerous under threat. He's old, sick and all he has is corrupt ideology. Like Bush he has nothing to lose in using whatever power begged, borrowed or stolen to achieve the permanent imperialist conquest of Iraq and on the rest of the oil regions of the Middle East.
I'm sorry if you misunderstood me. Terrorism is not limited to the middle east. Just to clear up. I was making a point that you were both saying terrorism in the middle east is a direct result of American foreign policies. But the fact is that we have had unfair policies in Asia, Sub-sahara Africa, and South America as well as the middle east, but only the middle east is manufacturing terrorism.
How can you two sit their and lecture me about not knowing history when you compare the IRA, which lasted only a few decades and was a result of land struggles, to radical muslim terrorist that have been attacking FOREIGN tagets (including children and women) as well as domestic targets for 50 years. And before that the muslim caliphate and ottoman turks used forced agression against the mediterranean greeks and other western democracies for hundreds of years.
Sam, I will not return your insults. It's just not productive. Devin, perhaps you just needed to be enlightened about the differences between the IRA (which doesn't hardly exist anymore) to the Radical Extremists.
Sam, just so you understand me more clearly. Radical Islam is using terrorism to obtain a goal of a united world under Sharia law and a restored caliphate. If you don't beleive me, perhaps either one of you should read the writings of Osama Bin Laden and his good friends. They are not shy about their intentions. Why do you deny what they so clearly want you to know? Maybe because it would make you uncomfortable? It probably doesn't fit into your world view that everyone is rational and if we can just "talk about it", then the problem will go away...
This is quite a bit different than the IRA blowing up cars in order to make a point about land. Or the KKK burning crosses to strike fear into the hearts of minorities. These are completely different in that the "terrorism" they used was to make a political point with the majority of time not connected ot religion or the massive killing of civilians. It also was not tought to them as the "WORD OF GOD" and made a tool in order for them to get to heaven.
Sam and Devin, how can you in all honesty even compare Islamic terrorism with any other terrorism throughout history?
I will agree with you two that "terrorism" has been used before in other areas of the world... but not for the reasons and in the ways that radical muslims have used it... can you both agree?
Ellen:
How can you say "Spartan, you are allright, Devin, keep up the good work" when they have basically blamed America for the creation of terrorism in the middle east. You say that the military is doing their job, but yet their "job" is being made harder by people in this country who refuse to learn from the past and instead are waiting for oppurtunities to tell all of us just how bad we really are. I am sick of the left trying to take moral platforms by blaming our own country for all the world's problems. Someday, they just might accomplish their goal of ruining America and then all that they despised will be all they want to have back. Sad... just sad.
"Republicans assuming speaking out about a bad president or wrong policies amounts to "blaming" America is just a way to comfort themselves by de-humanizing the messenger"
NO.... I am not claiming that everyone saying bad things about the president is un-American or that democrats hate this country. What I am saying is that you can be critical of the president or his policy without making our military's job more difficult. Yes, middle america is what makes up this country, but how can you support people who constantly are telling us that our government is to blame for the problems in the world. If we elect the government, and Spartan says that our government is to blame for creating terrorists, then we (being America) are responsible. I simply don't agree with that. if you disagree with the war in Iraq, that is your choice. I am not telling you that that is unpartiotic. What is unpatriotic is telling our troops that all of their freinds have died in vain becuase they are perpetrating an illegal war and killing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. That is what the left has been all about and if you can't see that, then you really need to open your eyes.
And Devin:
The American people arn't voting no, the election isn't for another year. But polls show that democrats don't lead on any of the major issues in 2008. That tells me that the american people are undecided.
Anyone who has been paying attention to the news at least since 911 should have a pretty good idea what is going on. The worldwide expansionist imperialism of a totalitatian way of life held together by a sustainable fictional wholistic engineering together of church and state, and the anxiety of victimhood and shame and the goal of strong community in death.
Dick Cheney is one doddering old man teetering on the brink of death, certainly not much of a threat to America himself.
I AM NOT BLAMING AMERICA. Are you really that dense? I am blaming this administration and any "elected officials that are responsible for the mess we are in now. And the idea that speaking out against this president and his policies is somehow hurting our troops is just another way of de-humanizing your opposition. You have no proof to back up that statement other than your opinion. What you refuse to entertain is the idea that perhaps some of us believe that what this president is doing is hurting our troops far more than speaking out against him. My mind IS open Isaac, it's why I have the beliefs I do.
> What I am saying is that you can be critical of the president
> or his policy witho